Thursday, July 26, 2007
Luke 8:2-3 And certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities -- Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.
MARY MAGDALENE: WHAT IS ENOUGH?
Here she was a poor wretch once tormented, but now set free to live with Christ and what is her immediate response? To give of her substance to do the Lord's work.
How much did she give? Some people will argue she must have been well to do, she must have had some family money. But really we don't know. It is possible that she did, it even seems likely, but we don't know. And how much of that money did she spend on the Lord? Whatever was needed. They "provided for Him." Whatever was needed they gave.
The disciples gave up everything to follow and learn from Jesus. Mary could never be an apostle and it is very possible that she had duties that kept her near to her home. Whatever the reason, Jesus did not call her to follow Him as He had the disciples. But this one thing she could and did do. She provided for Him what was needed out of what she had.
Sometimes we may wonder, "How much should I give?" Usually we are wondering this because we don't want to give quite as much as we possibly could. But if Mary knew how much the Lord had done for her, He certainly has not done less for us, casting out Satan as our Lord over us. This is one way we too can serve. How much should we give? What is needed out of what we have.
Serve the Lord with gladness . . . For with Him is abundant forgiveness.
